Acculturation Stress and Health Promotion Behaviors of the Korean Chinese Elderly Immigrants Living in Korea

Purpose: This study examined the relationship between acculturation stress and health promotion behaviors in the Korean Chinese elderly immigrants living in Korea, focusing on the buffering effects of social support. Methods: We included 132 completed questionnaires in the analysis. The buffering effect was examined using a hierarchical regression analysis by adding interaction terms. Results: Health promotion scores were significantly higher in the group with a higher education level, lower depressive symptom scores, and higher levels of social support. However, no statistically significant differences were found in the health promotion behaviors by gender, age, spouse, job, financial stability, subjective health status, chronic disease, regular health checkups, or acculturation stress. The hierarchical regression analysis demonstrated that social support had a buffering effect on the relationship between acculturation stress and health promotion behaviors in the Korean Chinese elderly immigrants. Specifically, the relationship between the acculturation stress stemming from the difficulties in the workplace and health promotion behaviors was attenuated by social support. Conclusion: These findings indicate that social support significantly moderates the relationship between acculturation stress and health promotion behaviors in the Korean Chinese elderly immigrants living in Korea. A variety of strategies to enhance social support should be incorporated in the health promotion programs to decrease the negative effects of acculturation stress in the Korean Chinese elderly living in Korea.